Wednesday 10 February 2010

Good morning,

From today 17 days are left to the World Cup, the biggest event for hockey players and fans in 2010.

And hockey will be at a turning point this year.

The first time this event was held was in 1971 in Barcelona where Pakistan got their first price in the WC history.

And 39 years later new excitements can be expected.

Yesterday we wrote that Australia didn’t win their price since 1986 although Kookaburras are the last 24 years always in the front row.

After 1986 they were 3 times 3rd place and 2 time second place.

If it is up to coach Charlesworth and his men, they like to collect this important price, but the coaches of Germany, Netherlands or even Pakistan like to do the same.

But what is the situation in India? After the hot discussions about money issues and the captaincy India is full in the spotlights.

But what their power is for today we don’t know.

After many disappointed matches and tournaments we have no clue if India can battle the best teams of the World. During the Europe tour, the England tour and at Salta India was not at home at all.

And when we look at their performance during the Champion Trophy 2002 uploaded at our website last weekend, we can see an Indian team we like to see.

Full in attack, very dangerous and very quickly, no difficult defensive actions and a well structured team during Pakistan–India.

Some players who were just introduced in 2002 at the age of 19 are no longer at India, a real waste of talent.

In 17 days the World Cup will start with the first final thinkable India vs. Pakistan in a hot New Delhi with 20,000 spectators in the stadium.

Hot times for both teams as India will fight till the end but at the same time Pakistan can write history.

We will see what will happen and we hope that we discuss this match with new sight views in the coming weeks but for sure it will be a real final.

For hockey fans in Malaysia today the last decisions for the national teams will be taken, unfortunately no news about the women teams but all news only about the men teams.

Really big surprises came out and today all these news will be official by the different commitees.

With one new coach at senior squad, one new coach at the junior’s squad and 3 new faces at the U16 squad.

Only till today no news what has happened with Paul Lissek as developing manager for hockey at National Sports Council.

Have a nice day and keep smiling,

Hockey Asia